State of the County Health Report
Yadkin County - North Carolina
2006

In December 2003, Healthy Yadkin released the results from a detailed community health assessment conducted in Yadkin County.  The research for the 2003 Community Health Assessment was conducted under the auspices of the Yadkin County Health Department and the Yadkin County Healthy Carolinians Task Force.  The 2003 Community Health Assessment was administered with the belief that community members are the most qualified individuals to effectively prioritize the health and safety issues occurring in their community.  This assessment will be repeated in the spring of 2007.

The results of the Yadkin County Community Health Assessment helped to establish the following health and safety priorities:

• Heart Disease
• Cancer (Prostate)
• Obesity
• Suicide
• Safety
• Substance Abuse (Teen Tobacco Use)

To address these major health concerns, Healthy Yadkin works under the advisory of the Healthy Yadkin, as well as with local community groups, organizations and agencies.  With the help of a network of concerned citizens and community volunteers, Healthy Yadkin has established the following programs and services to help address the community's major health concerns.

• Smoking Cessation Classes - American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking and American Cancer Society Fresh Start cessation classes are available at no cost through the office of Yadkin County Healthy Carolinians. Smoking cessation classes will also be offered at local high schools beginning school year 2005-06.

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  Individual Wellness Education - Individual counseling sessions on diet, nutrition, exercise, blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress are offered at no cost through the office of Yadkin County Healthy Carolinians.
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  P.H.A.T. Kids Lending Libraries - Implemented in the media center at each elementary and high school in the county. P.H.A.T. stands for Physically Healthy Adults of Tomorrow. Each library contains a wealth of current health education materials on nutrition and physical activity topics such as; food models, books, teacher aids, DVDs and videos, pedometers, and a website resource list. This program was funded through the North Carolina Eat Smart Move More and Healthy Weight Initiative community grants program.

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  Healthy Yadkin Community Resource Library - A wealth of health education resources are available for residents of Yadkin County through the Healthy Carolinians Resource Library. Materials include cookbooks, food models, videos, classroom curricula, games, and other health related materials for parents, kids and teachers.

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  "Winner's Circle healthy dining program - Winner's Circle has been implemented in all elementary and high school cafeterias. Winner's Circle is a healthy dining program aimed at teaching children how to make more nutritious choices when dining away from home. Response has been very positive. Periodic promotions are conducted to keep the students aware of the Winner's Circle options.

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  Yadkinville Town Park - Healthy Yadkin is currently working with the Town of Yadkinville and other local agencies on the development of a new town park.

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  "Start With Your Heart" Downtown Marker System & Guidebook - A walking guide and marker system was implemented in downtown Yadkinville in May 2003. Since its implementation, Healthy Yadkin, in partnership with the Yadkinville Downtown Business Association, has offered periodic walking programs to promote the use of the marker system and guide.

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  Lunch-N-Learns - Yadkin County Healthy Carolinians works with local agencies and companies to provide Lunch-N-Learn opportunities on a regular basis.

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  Healthy Kids Day - Healthy Kids Day is an annual event coordinated by Healthy Yadkin, the Yadkin County Physical Fitness & Nutrition Council, and the Yadkin Family YMCA. This event held on the first Saturday in April, offers a variety of fun activities that promote health and safety to the children in our community. Activities include a K-9 demonstration, bicycle rodeo and helmet give-away, fire safety and smoke house, healthy snack station, Ronald McDonald "Get Moving" activity, canned food drive, and more!

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  Suicide Awareness/Intervention Activities - Healthy Yadkin is currently collaborating with the Yadkin Mental Health Association to address the growing problem of suicide in Yadkin County. Healthy Yadkin sponsored a suicide awareness campaign in which little yellow suicide awareness wallet cards are being distributed to Yadkin County residents via churches, civic groups, and schools.

So how does Yadkin County currently compare?

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Sources:

http://www.schs.state.nc.us/

http://www.ncchild.org/

http://www.ncsbi.gov/

http://www.unc.edu/

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